Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is eagerly anticipating the upcoming derby against Manchester City this Sunday. The English player noted that the derby has always been a special match for him, as he has regularly faced Manchester City since his time in the club's academy.
Traditionally, United and City were considered among the strongest teams at the youth level, making this fixture significant for Mainoo from an early age. The forthcoming match will be the 199th encounter between the two clubs.
Mainoo told United Review: 'It means a lot to me. When you come into the Academy, you play against City twice a season, and it is always the biggest game. You know you are a fan, but the coaches always brought up this topic, and for us, it was always big competition, so yes, I am very excited.'
Previously, Mainoo demonstrated one of the brightest moments of his career at United against City. He was named man of the match after scoring a goal in United's 2-1 victory over Pep Guardiola's team in the 2024 FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. The midfielder emphasized that scoring against City in the final made this moment even more unforgettable.
He added: 'It was a great day. I mean, scoring a goal in a derby anytime is incredible, but in the FA Cup final, it is just much sweeter, and winning is a day I will never forget. A moment you dream about, for example, at Wembley, against your rivals, winning a trophy. It's incredible.'
Mainoo also shared that he kept some souvenirs from that memorable day. He said: 'I still have the bucket hat, and I still have the scarves from that game. Yes, I will keep them forever!'
In Sunday's derby, United aims to continue its strong home form under manager Michael Carrick. Mainoo believes that the 2-0 victory over City in January played an important role in building momentum for the season.
He noted: 'It definitely got us going and was a big stimulus for picking up pace, and then we played Arsenal and won again.'
Furthermore, Mainoo highly praised Carrick, stating that the experience of the former United midfielder helped him develop. He said: 'Everything he tells you, or any instruction he gives, is gold, really. So it was good to learn from him and play for him. Every time you beat City, it is positive and it is important for the season. I hope we come out winners.'